Boat ladder



Jan. 16, 1940. A. M. SMITH 2,187,633

BOAT LADDER Fild QCb. 22, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor By Qwaaifih A iiomeys A. M. SMlTH BOAT LADDER Jam 16, 1940.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1938 Attorneys Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a handy ladder and means for detachably mounting the same on the stern of a rowboat, float or equivalent water craft, and the purpose of the invention is to provide a self-adapting swingably mounted ladder so pro portioned and arranged as to enable a bather to conveniently dismount into the water, or to just as conveniently climb back into the boat from the Water.

It is generally conceded that a conventional speedboat or a rowboat cannot ordinarily be used to any degree of success as a float when swimming and diving, inasmuch as the relatively high side-walls and such use difflcult and inconvenient, and unsafe. With this in mind I have found it expedient and practicable to adopt a simple and economical rigid ladder and adapter attachment which arrangement, it is believed, aptly fulfills the requirements and needs of an assemblage of this type.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment comprises clamping blocks, rigid hand-grips and a simple metal or wooden ladder pivotally suspended from the hand-grips.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals serve to identify corresponding elements throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view observing the stern of a conventional rowboat and showing the ladder and its equipment attachment mounted in place for use.

Figure 2 is a view at right angles to Figure 1, the rear end of the boat being shown in longitudinal section.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of Figure 1 showing a fragmentary portion of the boat.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view.

Referring to the drawings, the boat is denoted at A and the stern-board at B.

The ladder 5 is a simple wooden or metal struc ture with side-rails and steps. The length of the ladder will vary under diiferent Water conditions. Ordinarily, however, a relatively short ladder will do. The upper end of the side-rails are pivotally bolted as at the points 6 to handle units 1. The parts 1 are suitable openwork of segmental form to provide satisfactory hand-rails. The lower portions are rigidly secured by bolts or the like 8 to the upper ends of duplicate adapter and attaching blocks 9. The blocks are of sturdy wood or equivalent material and somewhat wedgeshaped in form. The inclined rear edges I!) serve as braces and abutments for the adjacentportions of the side-rails of the ladder. Then too, each block includes a notch to take-over the stern-board as shown in Figure 2. It will be noted that the notch is so formed as to provide an inclined edge I l to bear firmly against the board B. The opposite edge portion of the notch is straight as at 32 and, therefore, the notched area defines a depending limb 3 to satisfactorily accommodate the clamping screw M.

It will be observed that the ladder constitutes the means for assembling the hand-grip fixtures and the attaching blocks. That is to say, the ladder is the component part which adjoins the two blocks and their respective hand-grip units in a predetermined order for quick attachment and use. Consequently, the parts each contribute their proportionate function in providing a unitary assemblage which is well adapted for the purposes intended.

Although the invention is shown as attached to the stern-board, it is obvious that it is susceptible of attachment to one of the side walls if so desired. Not only this, it is believed that it is Within the purview of the inventive concept to refer broadly to the boat as a float. In other words, I have invented, I believe, a ladder and attachment means for a swimming float or equivalent structure. In fact, ordinary floats could be readily modified to accommodate this invention, or the attaching block could be slightly modified to facilitate mounting on a float.

It is to be noted that, as before stated, the ladder will vary in length. Because of this it is evident that when the boat is in unusually shallow water, it is essential that the hinging or pivotal construction be employed. This is so since the ladder then becomes self-angling or accommodating and drags along the bottom without interfering with the forward motion of the boat. If the boat is moved in reverse while in shallow water, the ladder can be lifted and held up to avoid obstructions.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be bad. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought un necessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shownv and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

A boat ladder comprising a pair of handle exterior portions having an outer edge sloping downwardly and away from the boat and a ladder having its upper end pivoted to the bars of the handle members at a point where upper portions of the ladder will rest against the sloping portions of the clamping members.

ALLYN M. SMITH. 

